Back from Barcelona

After trying to land once last night and pulling up at the last minute because the flaps on the wings that help slow the plane down weren't working, we successfully returned from a nice weekend in Barcelona. The flight back took us much longer than it should have because of an hour sitting on the runway waiting for "paperwork" and the ineffective first approach to Heathrow (at which time the guy beside me pulled out the emergency landing card and started brushing up on the nearest exits and proper procedure). But we had a really nice weekend and are already talking about when we can go back.

The hotel (Gran Hotel La Florida) was amazing and at the top of Mount Tibidabo looking over the city and water. And it was much warmer than the weather we left behind in London. Overall, we had great food, a lot of time to relax, and enough culture to equal a wonderful weekend.

Here are a few pictures, but the whole group is online at Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/rachelbremer/sets/72157603934183487/

That's our hotel at the very top of Mount Tibidabo:

View from our room over the back patio:

View to Barcelona from our room (it was partly cloudy most of the weekend):

Very cool apartment building in the city:

Walking down Las Ramblas:

Museum of Modern Art:

Tapas at a great place in the Born neighborhood called Taller de Tapas:

A cool buidling at night (part of the University of Barcelona):

Jack the Ripper... and other walks

For those of you who, like me, weren't sure who Jack the Ripper was and exactly how he got his name, I can highly recommend the Jack the Ripper tour in London. Ric and I went with a big group on Tuesday evening after work and really enjoyed it. You basically walk around the neighborhood where, in the late 1800's an unknown man committed six gruesome murders and was never caught. Looking at this objectively it's a pretty morbid tour to go on, but it actually turned out to be quite enjoyable. Not only do you talk about Jack and his victims, but you get a nice dose of London history along the way.

And, maybe the best part, we saw Amy Winehouse on her way into a London Fashion Week party as we were walking by! She was of course extremely recognizable with her big bee hive hair-d0. And all the paparazzi that surrounded her.

They have a ton of great walks that you can do - one that goes around Old Hampstead Village Pub Walk, which sounds awesome, and a Pub Walk along the Themes, which we're going to try when my dad's here in April.

So if you're coming to visit, check out www.walks.com and let us know which ones you want to try out, they all look really cool!

We did it!

We actually ran 8 miles on Sunday (and it was 8, not 7, because we took a wrong turn about 3/4 of the way through...). Neither Ric nor I had ever run that far before, so it was a pretty successful day. And it gave us hope that we'll actually be able to complete the half marathon in Cape Town, although it starts at 6am and almost the entire 2nd half is uphill. Here's the route profile.

The taco casserole turned out yummy as well. It's a really easy recipe and always a crowd pleaser. Here it is on BettyCrocker.com. I typically use more onion and tomato than it calls for. And if you like black olives, I'd add some chopped ones as well.

Happy Tuesday!

Phew!

I'm not sure about anyone else, but I had a rough week and am and really, really glad that it's Friday. Looking forward to a quiet weekend and plan to spend every minute, starting now, getting myself psyched up to run 7 miles on Sunday. We did about 4 1/2 or 5 one morning this week and it almost killed me. Ric was way ahead and I'm dragging along behind, barely able to lift my feet over the uneven pavement. Let's just chalk that up to a bad day and hope that things look up on Sunday, or I'm going to be in big trouble.

We have quite a wild and crazy Saturday night planned... catching an 8 o'clock movie (There Will Be Blood with Daniel Day Lewis) and maybe even a dinner out beforehand. Then cooking dinner for some friends who also live in Hampstead. Making my famous (or not) taco casserole. It's usually a crowd pleaser.

And that's about it! Don't think there's much else to report from across the pond... We've been getting great weather - cold but clear and sunny for the most part. We're heading to Barcelona next weekend, so we'll be sure to report back!

Hello from SF!

I've been on the west cost for a few days now and just wondering if it will EVER stop raining. I know people think London weather is bad, but seriously, I haven't seen the sun since I stepped foot in California. And the gale force winds add an extra special touch. Meanwhile, Ric said he's had a very pleasant few days at home... clear sky, dry...

The highlights of my SF visit so far all involve food (surprise!). I've eaten at a great sushi place called Ozumo right by hotel twice now. Really, really good and the freshest fish I've had in a long time. Also had a solo dinner at the bar at Slanted Door (shaking beef and Slanted Door spring rolls) and am heading for another dinner alone tonight at Boulevard (hoping they have a good fillet on the menu). And coming up are Chez Panisse and, of course, Quince. Can't wait! I am constantly amazed at how good the food is here and it's almost enough to make me want to move back. Bur for now, I'll just enjoy it while I can and try to smuggle some sushi back with me for Ric.

Bits and bobs...

..To use a very British phrase

Wanted to post a few updates because I'm trying to get back in the habit of writing a couple times a week. So don't be mad if these aren't super entertaining... it's all about the routine people!

1. Training for a half marathon - Most of you know that Ric and I are running half of the Two Oceans marathon in March, and for a while I thought you didn't really need to train for a half. I mean, it's only half right? People train for full marathons, but training for a half seemed a little sissy. Until I tried to run five miles. And realized that the race would be another five miles. And then another three after that. So we've started a full-on training regimen. And you can find it on the Internet here. I'm trying not to take the "novice" category too personally.

2. We love visitors - the Bremer hotel in Hampstead, London seems to be quite a popular place to stay, if I do say so myself. We've had almost all immediate family members come through the doors, and quite a few friends. More to come on Thursday with Ric's friend Bob and his girlfriend spending a few days with us. And my dad is next up at bat with a trip planned for early April. So keep booking those trips! The exchange rate is falling as we speak, which means everything is just getting cheaper and cheaper (well, depending on your perspective, I guess).

3. More about Africa - we booked our flights and confirmed our permits for the Gorilla trekking (they only give out a certain number every day) so it looks like we're really going. I'll be asking for well-wishes and crossed fingers before we leave.

4. Yoga - it sounds nice, doesn't it? Gentle stretching. Calming music. Deep breathing. Well, that's all fine and dandy unless, like me, you haven't been to a yoga class in more than a year and all of a sudden think you can get right back into it at a level 2. Boy was I kidding myself. Went to a class on Saturday at Triyoga in Primrose Hill and have not yet recovered. Come to think of it, I'm not sure that I'll ever really be the same. I feel like I've been hit by a bus. Couldn't move for two days (ask Ric - I was a lump on the couch). I know it's really good for you and everything, and I'm going to keep going, but MAN was that one of the hardest exercise-related things I've ever had to do.

And, as a final note, just wanted to point out the report that came out this week saying the quality of life in the UK surpassed that in the US for the first time since the 1900s. You'll just have to come visit and see for yourselves!

Who loves getting vaccinated?

We do!! Especially when it involves three shots in the arm and Ric getting lightheaded and needing to lay down. And I thought I was the one who got scared of shots... Anyway, we are now the lucky recipients of 10 years worth of Yellow Fever, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Typhoid protection. Hopefully that combination, plus anti-malarial drugs, mosquito nets, heavy duty bug spray, diarrhea recovery kits, and non-water based hand sanitizer will keep us safe during our four days in Rwanda. And I know it will all be worth it once we're face to face with a family of gorillas.

The plan is to fly through Addis Ababa (in Ethiopia) to Kigali, Rwanda. Drive up to the Volcano National Park. Spend two nights and two days in the jungle tracking gorillas and viewing the amazing scenery, then a day in Kigali touring the city before heading to Cape Town and running half of the Two Oceans marathon. We leave on March 15th and can't wait... We'll take tons of pictures and will hopefully be really up close and personal with the gorillas. We've read that you get to find one family and track it for the day. Pretty cool!!

We hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year. Miss you all!

(and here are a few pics of where we'll be staying and what we'll see during the treks)

Gorilla's Nest Hotel




Gorilla trekking


Gorilla trekking


From last year's Two Oceans run